Kendrick Lamar performs in Toronto for first time since explosive Drake feud. Here's everything to know
For over a year, Canadians have watched with anxiety as a brazen figure from south of the border, unconcerned with decorum, steadily gained momentum and trampled timid expressions of resistance.
This figure is, of course, Kendrick Lamar — the Compton hip hop superstar with 21 Grammy wins and a Pulitzer — who handily vanquished hometown hero Drake in the most high-profile rap feud of the century last summer. The beef sparked a series of diss tracks, tested famous friendships and culminated with Lamar performing his chart-topping 'Not Like Us' at the Super Bowl.
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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Kendrick Lamar performs in Toronto
Kendrick Lamar is set to perform in Toronto tonight in his first swing through Drake's hometown since the pair started feuding last year. The American rapper stops in the city for two nights on his Grand National Tour with SZA.
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Kendrick Lamar performs in Drake's hometown for the first time since onset of feud
TORONTO - Kendrick Lamar stepped onto Drake's turf on Thursday, performing his first concert in Toronto since the rift between the superstars went into hyperdrive last year. But if time heals all wounds, many fans in attendance at Rogers Centre seemed more eager to watch the sparks fly. Brendan Wong flew in from Calgary for what he described as a 'monumental occasion,' a chance to see the first of two nights on Lamar's Grand National Tour with SZA. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I love the music, I love Kendrick, I love SZA, so that's why I'm here, honestly,' he said outside the venue. 'It's not like I'm a religious Drake supporter, you know what I'm saying? I like Kendrick more, so I guess I'm on his side.' The question of allegiance loomed heavy outside the venue as some ticket holders arrived wearing Drake's OVO gear branded with its famous owl. But plans for some Drake fans to congregate outside the venue in support of Drizzy fizzled when organizers behind an Instagram account promoting the gathering said 'logistical constraints' prevented them from moving forward. At least one Drake fan was there simply to show his unwavering support, dressed head to toe in OVO memorabilia, including a hat, pants and jacket. Even though he didn't have tickets, the fan, who called himself Julian, said he came in from Whitby, Ont., 'to show who runs this city.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I've been a Drake and OVO diehard fan, that's what I was made for,' he said. 'I'm born October the 6th (Drake's birthday) in the 6 (Toronto's nickname) … so I'm just here, you know, mean to support through and through.' Anthony Tran and Krisha Mae came to the Lamar show without much thirst for the drama. They waited several hours in the merchandise line to purchase matching SZA shirts, in support of Lamar's Grammy-winning tour mate. But they admitted that the lingering feud between Drake and Lamar was still on their minds. 'Everyone's talking about it, so we had to get tickets because of the beef,' he said. Tran said while the hype surrounding the rappers' bad blood drove them to buy seats, it wasn't the main reason they showed up. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I think both of them are really good songwriters, so I don't really care about the personalities,' he added, before rethinking his answer. 'Honestly, I do like Drake better. I'm sorry. Yeah, but we are from Toronto, so we got to rep Drake.' Lamar kicked off the show with several tracks from his 2024 album 'GNX,' including 'Squabble Up' and 'TV Off,' but he offered little on the Drake beef. 'Toronto, you ready to party?' He asked to a roaring response. Lamar typically performs his chart-topping diss track 'Not Like Us' near the end of the show. Drake was set to host a livestream Thursday night with American internet personality Kai Cenat, but the streamer later posted those plans were being delayed 'a few more days.' Drake and Lamar have been entrenched in a highly publicized feud that has culminated in a legal battle between the Canadian rapper and the U.S. record label that represents both men. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Drake is suing Universal Music Group for defamation for publishing and promoting 'Not Like Us.' In legal documents, Drake says the song's lyrics wrongly accuse him of being a pedophile, jeopardizing his safety and damaging his reputation. None of the allegations have been proven in court. In court filings, Universal calls Drake's suit a baseless 'attack on the commercial and creative success of the rap artist who defeated him.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Will Kendrick Lamar be taking a victory lap with two shows at Rogers Centre?
Kendrick Lamar is a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist who's been in a nasty and very public feud with Toronto's Drake. The two rappers have exchanged multiple diss tracks, but Lamar took their dispute to new heights with the song 'Not Like Us.' 'Not Like Us' includes serious allegations against Drake. In turn, Drake launched a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, which is a company that distributes music for both Lamar and Drake. Lamar performs at the Rogers Centre Thursday and Friday night. Will Lamar further amplify this feud when performing in Toronto, especially knowing he's in Drake's hometown? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gta Kendrick Lamar performs in Toronto for first time since explosive Drake feud. Here's everything to know Behind enemy lines: the Compton rapper will be joined by SZA for two shows at Rogers Centre on Where you are from seems to matter a lot to Lamar. The importance of the Los Angeles suburb of Compton — in contrast to Toronto — features notably in the diss track 'Not Like Us.' The lyrics indicate, 'I'm glad DeRoz' came home, y'all didn't deserve him neither.' Lamar is referring to DeMar DeRozan — the former Toronto Raptor — who now plays for the Sacramento Kings. Like Lamar, DeRozan is from Compton, so playing in California and the United States represents coming home. It's ambiguous about who didn't deserve DeRozan. Drake serves as a 'global ambassador' for the Raptors, but Torontonians and the larger Raptors fan base could also be targets. DeRozan appears in the video of 'Not Like Us' too and Drake obviously took notice. When Raptor legend Vince Carter's number was ceremoniously retired, discussion turned to who else might receive similar recognition someday. Kyle Lowry and DeRozan were commonly offered as possibilities. Such discussion prompted Drake to say that if DeRozan's number 10 was ever so honoured, he would climb up to the rafters of Scotiabank Arena to rip down the banner. The lyrics of 'Not Like Us' also specify that Drake should not 'speak on Serena.' Lamar is apparently referring to Serena Williams, the legendary tennis player, who grew up in Compton. Drake was romantically linked to Williams before she married Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian. The song reference helps explain why Williams made a surprise appearance crip walking during Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime performance. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Compton, which is south of downtown Los Angeles, is the hometown of several notable rappers, including Dr. Dre, DJ Quik and NWA. Placing such emphasis on Compton in 'Not Like Us' appears to question Drake's legitimacy as a rapper. For Drake, growing up in Toronto does not carry the same cultural currency when it comes to rap music. But turning to the allegations made in 'Not Like Us' that led to the filing of the lawsuit, Drake is called out by name where it says, 'I hear you like them young.' Thereafter, the song reads, 'Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.' Meanwhile, the cover art for 'Not Like Us' shows Drake's Toronto home in the wealthy Bridle Path neighbourhood. Drake's home is heavily dotted with markers that symbolize the presence of registered sex offenders. Effectively posting Drake's home address was clearly offside and became troubling when a security guard at Drake's home was subsequently shot and seriously wounded. There's a history of violence when rappers have disputes with one another. Last year, violence literally came to Drake's front doorstep. Ultimately, there's no doubt that Lamar has won the diss war and Drake has lost some of his shine. It's telling that Lamar is scheduled to perform on successive nights at Toronto's largest venue, a place Drake has never headlined. The concerts in Toronto can be seen as a victory lap for Lamar. Still, 'Not Like Us' is an us-versus-them anthem. And while Drake is the main target, Toronto does not come across as respected. So, there's some irony when the audience at Rogers Centre will predictably embrace the song when it's performed.
